Mayor Patricia Murphy said in a phone interview that she, Economic Development Supervisor Vin Nolan and Zoning Enforcement Officer Laura Regan had a productive session Oct. 22 with the STC in Newington regarding plans to start construction on a small section of the 40-acre parcel that is projected to have 280,000 square feet of retail space.
"It was a meeting where people listened, showed respect for each other and everyone let the other people finish their sentences," she said, making reference to the revised traffic signalization plan that was agreed to.
Brookfield Realtor Paul Scalzo of the Scalzo Group, which is based in Bethel, is developing the large parcel, which is across the road from Stop & Shop and Wal-Mart.
Mr. Nolan said about half the space will be occupied by a large retailer, which will likely be Target. However, he said that Target is waiting for the economy to improve before starting construction on a large building on the parcel.
Reportedly the developers had discussions some time ago with Costco, which currently has a center at 200 Federal Road in Brookfield.
Costco reportedly didn't want to move that far north.
The company, which has been in Brookfield for many years, submitted an application to build a facility at the cornfield at Junction Road but then withdrew it this last February, apparently because it didn't believe it would get approved.
Brookfield municipal officials have expressed concern recently that Costco, which has indicated that it needs more space, will move out of that town, which would have an impact on smaller businesses along the southern corridor of Federal Road who have added out-of-town customers because they discovered their store after shopping at Costco.
Mr. Scalzo said the initial de­velopment at the southern portion of Litchfield Crossings would include a Union Savings Bank branch and an AT&T store, along with the possibility of some other smaller retail outlets.
Mr. Nolan said the STC had received a full signalization plan for the area, which reportedly currently receives 35,000 vehicle trips a day.
He said the STC had been reluctant to allow for modifications in the plans to allow for partial signalization and an entrance at the southern portion, below the Taco Bell restaurant, where the retail development would be constructed.
"The mayor's contribution was significant," Mr. Nolan said regarding Ms. Murphy's input in getting the issue resolved.
"There was good com­munication, and you didn't have people talking past each other," he said.
Mr. Scalzo said that initial foundation work on the bank and AT&T store might start before the end of the fall construction season next month.
The mayor and some Town Council members have said that economic development will be an important issue in the coming years since they want to, among other things, reduce the tax burden on residential homeowners.